Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizers on Morpho-Physiological Characteristics and Seed Yield of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of different levels of NPK nutrition on some morpho-physiological characteristics and seed yield of quinoa, a randomized complete block design experiment was carried out in Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2019. In this study, response of quinoa (Titicaca variety) to seven fertilizer combinations, consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N: K: P, 30:25:20, 60:50:40, 90:75:60, 120:100:80, 150:125:100, 180:150:120 kg.ha-1) were investigated for plant height, number of branch, panicle length, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, content of photosynthetic pigments, leaf area index, crop growth rate, seed protein content and seed nutrients. The results indicated that the effect of NPK nutrition treatments on all measured traits were significant. The highest mean of Chl a, Chl b, Chl a+b, carotenoid, LAI, CGR and seed protein content belonged to combination of 120: 100: 80 which was not significantly different from combination of 90: 75: 60, in terms of Chl a and LAI. In this study, the highest mean of panicle lengths, number of branches, 1000 seed weight and seed yield were recorded for combination of 120: 100: 80 which were not significantly different from combination of 90: 75: 60, in terms of panicle length and seed yield. According to the results, thus, it can be concluded that combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers with a ratio of 90: 75: 60 are appropriate to achieve maximum seed yield for research location under Kerman climatic conditions and avoid overuse of chemical fertilizers.

Keywords

• chlorophyll
• crop growth rate
• seed yield
• protein
• quinoa